Create a Parklet Program in DC

Parklets—an extension of the sidewalk into a parking spot—are an easy and inexpensive way to add more green, public space to our communities.

Cities across the countries are creating Pavement to Parks programs to allow community groups and businesses to sponsor parklets. The District of Columbia has parks that rival or surpass these cities, but no parklet program to create and maintain small, easily accessible open spaces.

Urge Mayor Gray and DC government officials to create a Pavement to Parks program and bring parklets to DC. Visit ParkletDC.org for more information about how other cities are using parklets to enhance their communities and why DC should follow suit.

This petition was delivered to:

Mayor, Washington DCVincent C. Gray

Director, Washington DC Office of PlanningHarriet Tregoning

Director, District Department of the EnvironmentKeith Anderson

1 more decision maker...

Director, District Department of TransportationTerry Bellamy

Letter to

Mayor, Washington DCVincent C. Gray

Director, Washington DC Office of PlanningHarriet Tregoning

Director, District Department of the EnvironmentKeith Anderson

Director, District Department of TransportationTerry Bellamy

I write to ask that you work to create a Pavement to Parks program and support the construction of neighborhood parklets in Washington DC.

Public space—and parks—are important to me. Public space plays an important role in our city, giving residents a place to gather outside their homes, and interact with neighbors from different walks of life.

Although DC has a park system that rivals any in the nation, most are far from where we live, work, play and shop.

Parklets—mini-parks created by extending existing sidewalk across a temporary platform into a parking space—are an easy, inexpensive way to create public space in central locations with minimal impact.

Many cities across the country—including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Philadelphia—have created programs that allow neighborhood councils and businesses to partner to sponsor parklet construction at great success. It’s time that DC create a similar program.

Importantly, parklets come at minimal cost to the city. They are paid for by local businesses or community groups and only approved if the neighborhood supports their construction. And studies in other cities have shown that parklets increase pedestrian traffic, benefit small business and provide space for neighbors to get to know one another.

I ask that you work to create a Pavement to Parks or similar program, allowing parklets to come to DC. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response.